ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County Public Libraries will expand operating hours beginning Jan. 2, 2026, adding 36 hours per week across the system as the county continues restoring services reduced after Tropical Storm Helene.
Library officials said hours were cut in the months following the storm because of financial strain and a countywide hiring freeze. With staffing levels now stabilized, administrators developed a revised schedule aimed at increasing access while maintaining long-term sustainability.
Under the new schedule, all library branches will open at 9 a.m. The system will also shift evening hours to close at 7 p.m., with late hours split between Tuesdays and Thursdays based on usage data showing lower demand after 7 p.m. Pack Memorial Library will move to a Monday-Friday schedule and offer three late-evening days each week.
“This new schedule expands public service hours and aligns with Buncombe County’s goals of accessibility and operational excellence,” Library Director Jason Hyatt said. “We look forward to providing greater access to our resources, programs, collections and facilities starting in January.”
Administrators said the schedule was shaped by door-count data, staffing capacity and community feedback. A full listing of hours and branch locations is available at buncombenc.gov/library. The county’s digital library remains accessible at all hours.